10-December-2008

At a disability rights group's national convention in Nashville, Tenn., René Islas and Kelly Pollitt of B&D; Consulting guided discussion on what, if any, changes in federal law are required to make sure students with disabilities have access to the general curriculum, reported Education Today in its "Group Looks to Chart Its Own Path on Next NCLB, IDEA" story.

During a workshop session at the TASH Annual Conference, discussion arose over what "access" means and whether it is synonymous with inclusion, the story reported. Getting access to the right services matters more than inclusion, an attendee said. Another participant believes the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is entitling children to a private education or at least a public education in a different setting, Education Today reported.

Islas, former Chief of Staff at the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Pollitt, former staffer on the House Education and Labor Committee, are working with TASH (The Association for the Severely Handicapped) raise its profile on Capitol Hill with a new Congress, Education Today reported.

Within the article, B&D; Consulting is acknowledged for being hired by TASH to lobby on its behalf with regard to anticipated amendments to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The firm is also recognized for forging ties with members of the President-elect Obama transition team, including Judith Winston and Linda Darling-Hammond.